Chapter 160

Does this Lola really have no self-awareness at all?

Or is she trying to get back at the Straw Hat Pirates?

BIG MOM's brutality — does she, as her daughter, really not know about it?

Not to mention,

Lola fled from the BIG MOM Pirates on the eve of her wedding, pursuing "freedom of marriage."

If someone used her name to call for help, wouldn't the enraged BIG MOM tear them apart?

He took the vivre card and casually tossed it into the golden treasury.

Sima Di said: "I understand. Is there anything else?"

"Thank you again for rescuing us!"

Sima Di waved his hand dismissively, turned around, and was about to leave.

But then...

"Hey!" Luffy popped his head out and shouted: "We found a ton of food and we're throwing a banquet — do you guys want to come join us?"

"907 Really? Can we?" Lola said, pleasantly surprised.

"Come on! The more people, the merrier — hahaha—"

And so,

a large group of "refugee"-dressed pirates poured out of the forest and joined the open-air banquet.

This made Sanji, who was acting as head chef, very happy.

Being able to fill the bellies of the hungry gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

Brook also pulled out his instrument, teamed up with Laboon on the spot to form a band, and clumsily struck up a tune.

Sima Di watched the singing and dancing crowd, smiling as he sipped a little wine on the side.

Quite content and at ease.

Robin and Vivi both stayed by his side.

"Di-chan, let's go dance," Vivi invited.

"Forget it, let me quietly think about some things," Sima Di said.

Vivi, hearing this, nodded obediently, then shifted her gaze toward Robin.

"Robin-nee, how about we go dance?"

"Sure."

The two women stepped into the dance floor hand in hand; their graceful figures and starkly contrasting temperaments made everyone stare dumbstruck.

But these were the women of the Straw Hat Pirates' most mysterious man, so they didn't dare be too brazen — they even deliberately kept a certain distance.

Otherwise, if there were any misunderstanding, they'd be done for.

Sima Di watched the two women dancing gracefully, but his mind drifted far away.

The arrival of Bartholomew Kuma to summon the Straw Hat Pirates — the original plot's most explosive event is about to begin!

The climax of the original anime is about to unfold!

Sima Di casually thought it over, and a flood of iconic scenes came to mind.

"The Admirals Sit in a Row!"

"The Death of Ace, Son of the Pirate King!"

"Whitebeard Flips Marineford!"

"Shanks — Give Me a Face!"

Tsk!

Just how many rewards would that bring?

However...

Amid his anticipation,

Sima Di was considering whether to continue following the original story and have Bartholomew Kuma send the Straw Hat Pirates to their respective islands for training.

To be honest,

with his and Crocus's appearance, the Straw Hat Pirates had already received an epic-level boost.

Perhaps...

they could try letting them also take the stage at the Summit War?

Going up against the Marine Admirals would definitely not be enough.

But just fighting the other Marines, there shouldn't be any problem.

Moreover...

Before transmigrating, Sima Di had once imagined: if the Straw Hat Pirates, returning fully trained two years later, could transmigrate to the Summit War, wouldn't that scene be absolutely lit?

"The next battle will be at Sabaody Archipelago; by then there should only be Kizaru..."

"If they can hold out..."

"they could even make a trip to the Summit War."

Thinking this,

Sima Di spread his Haki, channeling it along the path of the One Yang Finger technique, transforming his fingertip force into a black blade that shot toward Kurokasu, who was sipping his wine.

Crocus always kept his Observation Haki active; he hadn't expected Sima Di to suddenly launch a sneak attack, and with no time to dodge, he could only harden his body with Armament Haki to take the hit head-on.

"Clang!"

Crocus's head was knocked askew, his skull buzzing.

If he hadn't reacted in time, wouldn't he have gotten his head blown off?

He frowned at Ma Di; the boy was usually so composed—why had he struck so recklessly today?

【It seems your Armament Haki has reached a high, top-tier level.】 Ma Di smiled.

If I don't go all out, how can I test your true level?

Kurokasa's expression turned strange.

The reason is...

Ma Di's voice had sounded directly inside his mind!

Kurokasa tried speaking in his mind: 【Kid?】

【It's me.】 Ma Di said: 【It's a new ability I developed—direct mental linkage for conversation.】

More precisely, it was the vast spiritual power of the Sheep Talisman, combined with his repeated use of "Mind Reading," that gave rise to the "Mind Link" ability.

The inspiration came from a limitless-stream novel he'd read in his past life.

Kurokasa: 【Mental conversation? So even Observation Haki can't eavesdrop—what a convenient ability.】

Ma Di: 【...】

Is "convenient" really the only word you have to describe my ability?

Kurokasa: 【You can even convey emotion?】

Ma Di: 【Enough of that—let me transmit a technique to you.】

Then, through the "Mind Link," Ma Di transmitted the cultivation technique "One Yang Finger" to Kurokasa.

He immediately severed the "Mind Link," leaving Kurokasa to ponder it alone.

Kurokasa will definitely join the Battle at Marineford—I need to boost his combat power first.

Unfortunately,

"One Yang Finger" requires external release of internal energy, which demands advanced Armament Haki to cultivate; right now, only Laby, at the peak of intermediate level, has any hope of achieving it soon.

Speaking of Laby,

one must marvel at the vitality of Sea Kings—his limbs, severed in battle with Ooz, had already nearly fully regenerated in just half an hour.

—Who knows if the kid was deliberately saying that to reject Ma Di's blessing.

Meanwhile,

Ma Di directly linked to Brook and infused him with the "Song of the Azure Tide."

This caused Brook, who had been cheerfully playing his violin, to pause—after several seconds, he resumed playing, the melody shifting from "cheerful" to "pleasing," compelling listeners to lean in and pay attention.

If Brook could now use his melodies to issue commands, he could make these people obey them.

But whether it was due to Brook's insufficient mastery or his sudden awareness, he issued no command.

"You're picking it up fast—perhaps you really can develop some interesting techniques."